For many of us chocolate is its own food group and no matter who tries to tell you otherwise: it is good for you. Recent studies have shown that your “excuse” to indulge on chocolate is actually very true. It is not just dark chocolate that is healthy (although, it is the better option) it is chocolate in general that comes with a number of health benefits anyone can benefit from! Between reducing body mass and preventing cancer here are eight reasons you should include chocolate in your daily diet.

1. Chocolate decreases stroke risk.

Author Susan C. Larsson, of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, conducted a meta-analysis including 4,260 cases on stroke and chocolate relationships. The analysis found that regular chocolate consumers have a 19% lower risk for strokes than non-chocolate consumers. This is because of flavonoids having biochemical and antioxidant effects that can reduce blood pressure by decreasing blood concentrations of bad cholesterol.

2. Chocolate reduces the likelihood of a heart attack.

Studies show that blood platelets for chocolate eaters clump together slower than for non-chocolate eaters. Clumping platelets lead to the formation of blood clots which in the long run can increase the risk of heart attacks.

3. Chocolate protects against blood inflammation.

According to the Moli-sani Project, only 6.7 grams of chocolate per day (.23 ounces) can protect the heart from inflammation. However, there are some restrictions: the study strictly applies to dark chocolate and no more than 6.7 grams of it. To put this into comparison, a standard Hershey Kiss (dark chocolate of course) is about 4.5 grams. In addition, inflammation can be kept under control with a "C-reactive protein" that researchers found is in the blood of 4,849 subjects that are free of risk factors as high cholesterol/blood pressure. With lower rates of C-reactive protein, individuals are found to have reduced inflammation.

4. Chocolate helps with mental math.

Binging on chocolate while studying for an exam can actually help you get a better grade, according to British psychologists who found a positive correlation between chocolate and mental math skills. The study finds that flavanols found in chocolate can help individuals complete calculations quicker. Flavanols help increase the flow of blood into the brain thus boosting alertness and stability which can directly help with speed and accuracy in completing mental math.

5. Chocolate can prevent cancer.

Researchers at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University found that cancer cells stopped dividing when supplemented with a pentamer. This compound, also called pentameric procyanidin is found in cocoa and works directly to stop the spread of cancer cells. Cocoa also contains other compounds such as catechins and proanthocyanidins that can additionally help cell-signaling pathways involved in tumor formation. With a number of health benefits cocoa can reduce the formation of cancer cells and eventually cancer by a great amount!

6. Chocolate reduces the risk of diabetes

A small Italian study found that eating chocolate (obviously, dark) once a day can drop insulin resistance by nearly half. Professor Claudio Ferri, M.D., at the University of L'Aquila in Italy, said that "Flavonoids increase nitric oxide production, [which] helps control insulin sensitivity." The study shows that eating dark chocolate can vividly decrease your blood pressure and improve insulin sensitivity leading one towards healthier living.

7. Chocolate is good for your skin; it'll give you a nice glow and reduce sunburn

PSA: the 90s lied: chocolate does not cause breakouts. Flavonoids found in chocolate are actually very good for your skin by protecting the sun's UV rays. While this does not replace the role of sunscreen, German scientists found that cocoa provides photo-protection against UV-induced erythema, which in the long run improves skin condition for women. While improving dermal blood circulation, the flavanol cocoa can affect the surface of the skin which leaves a healthier look.

8. Chocolate makes you live longer.

From protecting against inflammation to decreasing the risk of strokes cocoa has a number of health benefits that can directly increase life longevity--as long as it is dark chocolate. While most of the chocolate that is sold/eaten on a daily basis is pure sugar, dark chocolate that has at least 70% to 75% cacao has a ton of flavonoids that make it one of the healthiest foods to consume. At age 122, Jeanne Louise Calment one of the oldest people to live, ate two and a half pounds of dark chocolate per week! The secret to a long life? Delicious Cocoa.

9. Last but not least, because chocolate is chocolate--we can never get enough.